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Councillor cleared of fraud

24/ 4/2008

A COUNCILLOR arrested over allegations of money laundering has been cleared after a year-long investigation.

Police detained Fida Hussain, 45, in March 2007 and took away documents from his home in Werneth, Oldham.

At the time he said he was `stunned and shocked' and put his council duties to one side to fight to clear his name.

Now the Crown Prosecution Service has decided the father-of-five has no case to answer {ndash} Coun Hussain got a letter last weekend telling him the case had been dropped.

"Naturally I was delighted," he said. "I am just pleased that it's finally over. It's been a nightmare. Personally I was never worried but it has placed a lot of unnecessary trauma on my family."

Despite the news, Coun Hussain said he would not be celebrating due to the fact his mother died before seeing her son's name cleared.

He said: "I'm sure she knew I was innocent but it would have been nice for her to see it before she died."

He also hit out in the way in which the case was dealt.

"When I was arrested it was blown out of all proportion and the authorities made a big deal out of it. But when it ends and the truth comes out I'm sent a letter in the post on the quiet."

Coun Hussain will stand for re-election on May 1 and he said the news had provided him with a shot in the arm.

"Now it's out of the way I can concentrate properly on the election. My constituents have always come first, even before my family, and they stood by me throughout this.

"They know my life is like an open book for anyone to see. The support I have had from them through this has been staggering and I hope I can repay their faith in me."